The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-08-11
The THIRTY sixth 0. Y. /.
In The Closing Hour Of The Battle of
ChiCkamauga.
The Close Of the Chattanooga Campaign.
BY JOHN T. BOOTH, M. d.,
Regimental Historian, Hartwell, Ohio.

In word the ground over which Turchin's famous
charge was made depressed plane half to three
quarters of mile wide portion covered with woods
grass and punches clusters of sprouts higher than
mans head; farther on, the ground became open
and clear with Mission Ridge to our left, the right
range of hills in possession of the Rebels, from
which their battery engaged in artillery duel with
Gordon Granger battery, diagonally the plain
and it was partially beneath this exchange of "com-
pliments froncal' that the charge made. To the
right could be the Confederate line that
bordered the plantation in that direction. At the
successive lines of Gray in their pathway went Tur
chin's Brigade, bayonets to the 'front.' with cheers
that might have been mistaken for peans victory
exutant did they sound, rather than defiant shouts
of forlorn hope, who felt that possibly upon this
feat of their arms hung. by hair their fate ir
that of Division, for all they knew, corps
army, mayhap a nation, but who, however onerous
willingly cheerfully, notwithstanding the terrible
odds, accepted the responsibility and fearessly went
in on their metal. The charge resulted in driving
the main bodies of the Confederates charged upon,
about mile, and entirely Bard's left the
emy unable to Withstand the persistent onsets finally
parting rolled scroll either side. Gen. Tur-
chin whose horse had been killed by shell during
the charge. had kept well along with his command
despite his two hundred pounds avoirdupois, short
neither limbs and forty inch surcingle. Lieut.. Benj
F. Stearns approaching the General he toiling
along observed passant that his-the Generals
powers of endurance pleasing surprise to ALL
whereupon, though putting and wheezlng like
motive on heavy up grade, the General replied,
When in action may lose all thought of himself,
but this is personal matter to me'' 1t evidently
was, and being acted upon. While the brigade
charging within range, both the Federal and
Confederate batteries depressed their pieces, and
efectng sad havoc among the gallant boys with Tur-
chin. piece of SHE'LL fired from one of these de-
pressed pieces struck the knapsack of Wm Hillgar,
of the seth Ohio as he whirling him over his
back in twinkling. Cambering to his feet with but
little more than the ghost of knapsack left cingng
to him, though shook up fright SMART was able to
keep along with the crowd.
Sergeant Phillips encountered Lieut. Jas. Haddow
and asked how he was making it?'' and greeted
with, reply, "A horse horse, my kingdom for a
horse.'
But little attention had been paid to the battery
the left resting the spur of Mission Ridge. until
grove pines where the Confederate battery
of Breckenridge's Division had stood, when through
the dust and smoke this battery the top
of the ridge. 1t pouring its discharges into
ranks, killing and wounding our men. The case
looked desperate were already over-eXerted and
all broken by the long but the began to
say, lets charge it, let's take it,' and to gather
themselves together for another struggle, hopeless as
it appeared. Mastering their strength they made
gallant show that inspired them with the belief
that nothing within the opposing lines could stand
before them. While these prep arations for charge
were being made, freshened breeze swept from be-
them and the offending battery, the battle pail
of smoke and dust when to their happy amazement
the flag with the stripes and star spangleS bright was
waved to and fro within the battery. oh, how
happy, gladsome and hearty were the cheers with
which this sight greeted by the tired and sorely
pressed brigade the other side of the valley below
it off for the hill top where Battery 1, End Ill.
Artillery, that had been industriousy beaboring
us with their missiles was stationed.
Exhausted and painting, Gen. Turchin was assisted
mp the hill by Lieut.. Isaac c. Phillips. From near
top the ridge the left Battery 1, and
behind which our brigade was being reformed there
could be the remaining portion of Reynolds Di
vision that had been on our left and separated from
u.s. and Baird's Division Withdrawing from the field
the ground that had been cleared of the enemy
by the charges of Turchin's Brigade. 1t was
worth ten years of peaceful life to witness the
sublime fortitude evinced in the ranks of those vet
eran heroes, who with empty cartridge boxes, and
and empty guns carried at fright shoulder Shift
marching steadily and quietly from off the field
their valour had aided immortaize, with colors
flying as If coming off parade. The gaps in their
ranks as they marched, caused from the fire of the
Confed crates closed up Immediately their rout
marked by spots of blue where lay those who had
made their last retreat heroes of battles there sum
bering in their last sleep, the battle field there
found grave.
The swarming hosts of Bragg, Longstreet and Polk
dare not charge them as they withdrew. The fight
between them had reached that point where cold
steel backed by Federal manhood, brawny muscle and
desperate resolve had made the lone equal to fve''
chivalry beware how they bated men now sulen and
ready to turn at bay, disdaining exhibit any
evidence of fear even to the casting backward of
glance, exhibiting therein pluck and heroism equal
not superior that which stands in line and meets
the foe in the swirl and fierce tide of battle.
1t after suudown when that portion of the brig
ade that accompanied Gen. Turchin passed over the
top of the ridge turning toward the left and down
behind the battery. Here within twenty-five yards
the battery fell John Taylor, private in Company
E, Seth Ohio.
A shell came over the ridge and struck him, carry
ing away both legs just above the knee Sergeant A
B. Phillips also of E, called stretcherbearers
and ordered them to convey him to place of help,
but that grand boy, Just his Colonel (Devol),
reached his side, was beseeching his comrades to
leave him and rather the honor the army,
the and of the day than for him. While
pleading thus he died, and his death made him
BILE to ALL 1t was scene exhibiting true patriotism
that will never be forgotten by those who be-
held it, something there about it thrillingly
pathetic, truly noble and grand and yet natural
earnest and honest that it seemed more like scene
of self martyrdom than event on battlefield Poor
John. 1t his first and last battle, he had borne
himself with conspicuous GOODNESS and heroism
through it all, and He sleeps his Sleep he
has fought his last battle; he ne'er shall awake to
glory again."
In the National Tribune of September "a, 1856,
article, "Chickamauga," from the pen of w. G.
Putney, Bugler, Battery l. End ILL., Artillery, from
which take the following: 1--WE moved across
open field covered with coarse grass, by the right
flank and took position behind sharp rise of ground
facing east. Here engaged IN a artillery
duel with twelve guns of the enemy, little to
right, for hour, when all of sudden there burst
through the rebel battery hundred or more blue
coats who north and finally turned up into our
ba ttery. Among them was General, who was so
completely out of breath when he reached us that
some of our men were obliged to hold him up till he
recovered. Twas told that it was General Turchin.
Had this number known that friends near,
they might huve brought away those guns in our